STOCKHOLM—Nynas A.B. has plenty of initiatives to keep it busy in the near future, including a continued emphasis on research and development, and also dealing with the need to reformulate as the trend toward a reduced supply of Group 1 oils accelerates.
In addition, the Stockholm-based firm recently added an advanced video extensometer at its Nynas Rubber Compounding Lab in Nynashamn, Sweden. Nynas said the new equipment is a complement to its tensile testing machine, and can help monitor the true extension of the test sample, giving more details on the tensile properties of the rubber material.
That gives the maker of process oils for the tire and rubber industry optical mapping of the tensile behavior from start until it breaks, without having any physical contact with the test specimen. The company said the extensometer makes it possible to show how different process oils affect the tensile properties of the rubber materials.
"In the rubber lab we are able to compound, develop and analyze rubber material on our own," Nynas said in answers to emailed questions. "We think it helps in better understanding our customers' needs and developing new products, as we can analyze experimental products already in rubber compounds before bringing them to the market. It also is a powerful tool to do development and cross-check findings with our customers."
Nynas didn't reveal its investment in the new equipment, which it said is part of its ongoing emphasis on R&D. The firm said that since it was established in 1928, the company has placed a high value on learning more about the composition of its products and analyzing how they perform in their respective applications.
With regard to its rubber process oil business, the company said when it develops new products it always is trying to solve a problem or support a direction the tire and rubber industry is moving. And today one of the major areas of development focuses on sustainability.